Words of Welcome

Call to Worship

One: Tomorrow, we will bear ashes.
Many: Today, we will share a feast!
One: Tomorrow, we will remember our humanity.
Many: Today, we will celebrate your bounty!
One: Tomorrow, we will begin a Lenten journey.
Many: Today, we will strengthen ourselves for the 40 days that lie ahead!

Opening Hymn

“Come, Come, Whoever You Are”

Come, come, whoever you are
Worshipper, wanderer, lover of leaving
Ours is not a caravan of despair
Though you have broken your vows
A thousand times
Come, come again, come. Oh…

Scripture

Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘God will command God’s angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only God.'” 11 Then the devil left Jesus, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Sung Response

“Come, Come, Whoever You Are”

Come, come, whoever you are
Worshipper, wanderer, lover of leaving
Ours is not a caravan of despair
Though you have broken your vows
A thousand times
Come, come again, come. Oh…

Extracanonical Reading

Starlings in Winter by Mary Oliver

Hymn of Preparation

“Come to the Table of Grace”

Come to the table of grace
Come to the table of grace
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine
Come to the table of grace

Come to the table of peace…

Come to the table of love…

Come to the table of hope…

Come to the table of grace…

Love Feast

Response: “May God bless you and keep you throughout these 40 days.”

Hymns During the Feast

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”

Refrain:
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship God’s Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore

“Open Up” by The Brilliance

You heard the cry of our hearts
And you came down
Freely you gave us your love
Showing us how

Make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred let me show love
Where there is darkness let me shine light and…

May your love cause us to open up
Cause us to open up our hearts
May your light cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark

All that we do without love
It means nothing
Grant us the courage to give
As you’re calling

Make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred let me show love
Where there is darkness let me shine light and…

May your love cause us to open up
Cause us to open our hearts
May your light cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark

Hope for the hopeless, your love is
Strength in our weakness, your love is
May we love, as you love

Benediction